6 Crazy Hacks for Teeth Whitening on a Budget

by Yumna Afzal

A growing number of people are now using white strips and whitening paste as part of their oral care at home to get those perfect celebrity pearly whites. There’s no denying your smile is one of the first things people notice on first impressions!

Your teeth are a major sign of health as well as confidence. You wouldn’t want to send a signal that you don’t really care about yourself, do you? Everyone wants a beautiful smile with white, sparkling teeth! But what’s the best way to whiten your teeth without breaking the bank?

We’ve got your answer!

Check out these natural and highly effective DIY hacks to whiten and brighten your teeth at home:

1. Coconut Oil Pulling

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Yes, coconut oil can clean your teeth! To oil pull, simply put a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it between your teeth for 10-15 minutes, just as you do with mouth wash. You can add a little water to dilute it.

Another option is to add a few drops of the oil to your toothbrush or to a clean wash cloth, and then brush/rub your teeth. And here’s the best part – coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, so it’s great for protecting your gums and teeth from bacteria!

2. Organic Turmeric

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We know what you’re thinking. How can a spice that stains everything yellow, whiten your teeth? But it works surprisingly well. The organic turmeric powder can be mixed with baking soda, coconut oil or water to make a thick paste, which you can apply to your teeth for instant whitening. Just rinse very well with water, and you’re good to go!

3. Lemon or Orange Peels

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Citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges contain beneficial acids, which do the trick for whitening teeth. Remember to rinse your mouth with lots of water after rubbing the citrus peels on your teeth, since the high acid content can also eventually wear away the enamel on the teeth if used too aggressively.

4. Brush After Caffeine

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Simply brush your teeth with an appropriate whitening toothpaste after drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes. If you do drink staining beverages and sodas regularly, try using a straw in order to cut back. Also remember to drink lots of water after having anything with caffeine or anything acidic in order to reduce thinning of the enamel on your teeth.

If you want those pearly whites, remember that coffee, red whine and tobacco are not your friends! (Not to mention they lead to bad breath too.)

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

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Apple cider vinegar has been well known for being a disinfectant and a natural cleaning product. Dilute it with water and swish it around in your mouth for several minutes. Rinse your mouth afterwards.

Remember to not do this for for multiple days in a row, since vinegar can soften your teeth in the long run. If done occasionally, the vinegar will work perfectly as a bleaching agent for your teeth.

6. Baking Soda

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Baking soda works wonderfully to remove plaque from teeth. This has been scientifically proven by several studies! You can form a paste by mixing it with water, lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is an antibacterial agent and works great as a total mouth and gum cleaner.

Brush your teeth as usual first and then rub the baking soda paste against your teeth with a cotton bud or your toothbrush. Repeat once or twice a week for the best results.

7. Activated Charcoal

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This product has been the new hype in 2018! Activated charcoal whitens your teeth by absorbing plaque and microscopic tidbits that cause staining. Wet a toothbrush and dip into powdered activated charcoal and brush for 4-5 minutes. You will notice an instant difference even after the first try! It is highly effective if you continue to do this 3-4 times a week.

If you can’t find this product at your nearest drug store, you can get it here (with a free Bamboo Brush oral care set!)

Try these natural hacks stat, and you’ll be jamming to ‘My shiny teeth and me’ in no time!